Once upon a time, deep in the sparkling blue ocean, lived a little starfish named Sunny. Sunny wasn't quite sleepy yet, even though the sun had said goodnight. He wiggled his arms and legs, but he still felt a little bit bouncy! Mama Starfish smiled. "Sunny," she said, "Let's try a little ocean meditation to help you relax."
"What's meditation?" asked Sunny. "It's like taking a quiet trip inside your own mind," Mama Starfish explained. "Close your eyes, Sunny, and imagine the waves. Can you hear them? *Whoosh… whoosh…* They are gentle and slow."
Sunny closed his eyes. He imagined the waves rolling in and out, soft and blue. Mama Starfish continued, "Now, breathe in slowly, like you're smelling a beautiful sea flower. And breathe out slowly, like you're blowing bubbles."
Sunny took a deep breath in… and a slow breath out. He felt his starfish arms become a little bit heavier. *Whoosh… whoosh…* went the waves. He imagined each wave washing away any little wiggles he had left.
"Now, feel your starfish legs," Mama Starfish said. "Are they tight? Or are they relaxed? Let them become soft and floppy, like seaweed swaying in the water."
Sunny wiggled his legs, then let them go loose. They felt much better! He imagined the waves gently rocking his legs, making them feel calm and peaceful. *Whoosh… whoosh…*
"Now, think about something happy," Mama Starfish whispered. "Maybe a fun game you played today, or a pretty shell you found."
Sunny thought about building a sandcastle with his friend, Shelly the snail. He smiled. It made him feel warm and cozy inside. The waves seemed to sing a quiet lullaby. *Whoosh… whoosh…*
Mama Starfish said, "Now, just listen to the waves and feel your breath. Let everything else drift away, like little bubbles floating to the surface."
Sunny listened. He breathed. He felt so calm and peaceful. His eyes felt heavy, and his starfish body felt so, so sleepy. *Whoosh… whoosh…* The waves were his friends, rocking him gently to sleep.
Soon, Sunny was fast asleep, dreaming of sparkling waves and happy sandcastles. Mama Starfish smiled and kissed his little starfish nose. Remember, little one, just like Sunny, you can always find a quiet place inside yourself, and let the calm waves of your breath carry you to sleep.